strengthen their faith and
confidence more and more. For, as has now been frequently said,
this faith makes all works good, yea, it must do them and be the
master-workman.

[Sidenote: Duties of Masters]

XIX. On the other hand, the masters and mistresses should not
rule their servants, maids and workingmen roughly, not look to
all things too closely, occasionally overlook something, and for
peace' sake make allowances. For it is not possible that
everything be done perfectly at all times among any class of men,
as long as we live on earth in imperfection. Of this St. Paul
says, Colossians iv, "Masters, do unto your servants that which
is just and equal, knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven."
[Col. 4:1] Therefore as the masters do not wish God to deal too
sharply with them, but that many things be overlooked through
grace, they also should be so much the more gentle toward their
servants, and overlook some things, and yet have a care that the
servants do right and learn to fear God.

But see now, what good works a householder and a mistress can do,
how finely God offers us all good works so near at hand, so
manifold, so continuously, that we have no need of asking after
good works, and might well forget the other showy, far-off,
invented works of men, such as making pilgrimages, building
churches, seeking indulgence, and the like.

[Sidenote: Husband and Wife]

Here I ought naturally also to say how a wife ought to be
obedient, subject to her husband as to her superior, give way to
him, keep silent and give up to him, where it is a matter not
contrary to God's commands. On the other hand, the husband should
love his wife, overlook a little, and not deal strictly with her,
of which matter St. Peter [1 Pet. 3:6 ff.] and St. Paul [Eph.
5:22 ff., Col. 3:18 ff.] have said much. But this has its place
in the further explanation of the Ten Commandments, and is easily
inferred from these passages.

[Sidenote: Summary]

XX. But all that has been said of these works is included in
these two, obedience and considerateness.[49] Obedience is the
duty of subjects, considerateness that of masters, that they take
care to rule their subjects well, deal kindly with them, and do
everything whereby they may benefit and help them. That is their
way to heaven, and these are the best works they can do on earth;
with these they are more acceptable to God than if without these
they did nothing but miracles. So says St. Paul,